SMITHFIELD, RI – In U.S. News & World Report’s "2020 Best Graduate Schools" rankings released this week, Bryant’s Physician Assistant (PA) program ranks among the top five in New England and No. 74 nationally. Launched in 2014, Bryant’s program is tied for first place among the country’s newest programs. 

Here are the New England PA Programs listed by score:

• Quinnipiac University 3.5
• Northeastern University 3.3
• Yale University 3.3
• Tufts University 3.2
• Bay Path University 2.8
• Bryant University 2.8
• Springfield College 2.8

The only fully accredited program in Rhode Island, Bryant’s PA program is meeting a critical need to educate health care providers and to help create efficiencies in the health care system that will benefit all. 

“Bryant’s PA program is among several new academic programs launched to answer the call for innovative leaders in industry and society,” says Bryant President Ronald K. Machtley. “The success of our Physician Assistant program reflects the academic excellence of Bryant University and our outstanding faculty."

Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy, JD, LL.M., notes, "The PA program, while still in its infancy, is already making a significant impact within health care circles and higher education. I credit these impressive results to the program’s faculty and staff whose efforts serve as a catalyst for the continued growth and success of our School of Health Sciences.”

“It’s an honor to have our program recognized by our peers across the country,” says Jay Amrien, MPAS, PA-C.  “Increasing demand, valued partnerships with some of the country’s best health care organizations, and outstanding students, alumni, and staff contributing in their communities—are just a few of the ways Bryant's program is growing and making a difference for individuals and organizations.”

Here are some highlights of Bryant's PA program getting the attention of students and health care organizations around the country: 

• State of the art educational tools and a hands-on approach to learning that features a simulation center solidifying didactic coursework (more than 10 hours a week,1900-plus total). Small group activities with dedicated clinicians providing real-world examples of patient care.
• World-class teaching, from gross anatomy at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, to didactic education from 174-plus adjuncts who are experts in their fields. A core faculty with a passion for educating PAs.
• Service to the underserved and early clinical encounters in the Rhode Island Free Clinic and our own student-run free diabetes clinic. This is further enhanced by our overseas rotation in American Samoa.
• Community and professional involvement with local, state, and national organizations supporting patients and enhancing the PA Profession.
• The integration of health care and business education, a critical component of Bryant’s PA program, provides skills and best practices that enable graduates to create successful practices that can better serve community health care needs.
• Exceptional results: pass rates (100 percent), job placement (94 percent within three months), and salaries (average starting salary $102K).

Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., is a leading private university offering an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education. The University's 3,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students study in an intensive and immersive learning environment that has been purpose-built for high achievement. Bryant’s groundbreaking academic programs have been nationally recognized by organizations including the Davis Educational Foundation and Hanover Research. Founded in 1863, Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, College Factual/U.S.A. Today, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Barron’s.